Arch Rivals

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Game Gear

ArchRivals MD title.png

ArchRivals GG Title.png

Arch Rivals
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Flying Edge
Developer:
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing
Peripherals supported:
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Sports (basketball)

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9549.95[2][3] T-81056
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-81056-50
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[5][6] T-81056-50
Sega Mega Drive
GR 		T-81056-50
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Game Gear
US 		$39.9539.95[8] T-81118
Non-Sega versions

Arch Rivals, labeled as Arch Rivals: The Arcade Game on the packaging, is an arcade basketball game which was ported to the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Game Gear. The Game Gear version was only released in North America, although a European version was planned.[9]

Gameplay

Arch Rivals, Cheerleader.png

Cheerleader

The game is a fast-paced 2-on-2 basketball game that omits many of the rules of the game, such as fouls, though there is a 24-second shot clock. Unlike other basketball games, it is possible to punch opponents to steal the ball. The referee only calls shot clock violations.

Games generally follow standard basketball rules; a full game consists of four quarters, with four minutes each. Players are moved around the court with the D-Pad. Each team has two players, and the objective of the game is to outscore the opponent until the final buzzer sounds. If the game results in a tie after four quarters, sudden death overtime periods are added, in which case whoever scores the next basket wins the game. Every overtime period is one minute.

Every successful shot is followed by a picture of a person reacting, such as a cheerleader, the referee, or a team manager.

The game supports two-player competitive play. Both players always play on opposing teams with an AI-controlled teammate.

Before each game, players choose a character, which have different individual strengths. In two-player games, each player must choose a different character.

Arch Rivals, Tip-Off.png

Tip-Off
Each game starts with a tip-off, where a player from each team leaps with A for possession of the ball.

Arch Rivals, Defense, Block.png

Arch Rivals, Defense, Shove.png

Arch Rivals, Defense, Dive.png

  • Arch Rivals, Defense, Block.png

  • Arch Rivals, Defense, Shove.png

  • Arch Rivals, Defense, Dive.png

Defense
When the player's team does not have possession of the ball, the player can try to block the opposing team's shots with A. When near an opposing player, the player can shove the opponent with B or dive on the opponent with C. Either can cause the other player to drop the ball or move another player out of the way to clear a shot for a teammate.

Arch Rivals, Offense, Shoot.png

Arch Rivals, Offense, Dunk.png

  • Arch Rivals, Offense, Shoot.png

  • Arch Rivals, Offense, Dunk.png

Offense
When the player's team has possession of the ball, the player can shoot the ball by holding A. The ball is released when the button is released; releasing the button at the apex of the leap leads to a more accurate shot but increases the risk of a defender blocking or stealing the ball. The player can perform a dunk by pressing A while running toward the basket.

The player can pass the ball with B. If the AI teammate has the ball, pressing B forces the AI to pass the ball. Opponents can intercept the ball as it is being passed.

Players

Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Tyrone
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Vinnie
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Hammer
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Moose
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Lewis
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Blade
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Mohawk
Arch Rivals, Players.png
 Reggie

History

Development

A Sega Master System version, reportedly identical to the Game Gear port, was once set to be released at the same time as the Mega Drive version[10] in June 1992[5], but was scrapped at the last minute. Some publications received review copies, however.

Legacy

Arch Rivals marks the beginning of Midway's line of arcade basketball games, and it immediately preceded its most successful entry, NBA Jam.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Music composer: Dan Forden
  • Music arranger: Mark Cooksey
Source:
Uncredited


Game Gear version

Arch Rivals® ©1992 Acclaim Entertainment Inc
Arch Rivals® © 1989 1992 All Rights Reserved
Licensed from and Trademark of Midway Manufacturing Company
  • Programmed by: Byron Nilsson
  • Graphics by: Gary Tonge
  • Programming Support: Julian Scott
Source:
In-game credits (intro demo)
Arch Rivals GG credits.pdf
[11]
  • Music composer: Dan Forden
  • Music arranger: Mark Cooksey
Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: Arch Rivals/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in (US) #8: "May/June 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #36: "July 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[12]
  • (US) #36: "July 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[13]
  • (US) #37: "August 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[14]
  • (US) #9: "August/September 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[15]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #7: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (ES) #14: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[16]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
50
[17]
(RU)
40
[18]
(RU)
70
[19]
(RU)
30
[20]
(UK)
40
[21]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[2]
(GR)
53
[22]
(UK)
39
[23]
(ES)
87
[24]
(FR)
83
[25]
(FR) NTSC-U
70
[26]
(UK) PAL
69
[27]
(FR)
75
[28]
(UK) PAL
45
[29]
(UK) PAL
40
[30]
(UK)
40
[31]
(ES)
81
[32]
(FR)
50
[33]
(DE)
52
[34]
(UK)
64
[35]
(DE)
64
[36]
(UK) PAL
60
[6]
(UK) PAL
80
[37]
(UK) PAL
76
[38]
(SE)
84
[39]
(UK) PAL
86
[40]
(BR) NTSC-U
75
[41]
(RU)
57
[42]
(US) NTSC-U
50
[3]
(DE) PAL
65
[43]
Sega Mega Drive
 62
Based on
30 reviews

Arch Rivals

Mega Drive, US
ArchRivals MD US Box.jpg
Cover
ArchRivals MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Arch Rivals MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
ArchRivals MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
ArchRivals MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Arch Rivals MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
ArchRivals MD EU PCB.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, GR (Zegetron)

ArchRivals MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(US) NTSC-U
60
[44]
(US) NTSC-U
73
[45]
Sega Game Gear
 66
Based on
2 reviews

Arch Rivals

Game Gear, US
ArchRivals GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngArchRivals GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
ArchRivals GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Arch Rivals GG US Manual.pdf
Manual

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR) PAL
60
[28]
(UK) PAL
83
[37]
(UK) PAL
83
[46]
Sega Master System
 75
Based on
3 reviews

Arch Rivals


Technical information

Main article: Arch Rivals/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ Press release: 1992-05-19: ACCLAIM BEGINS SHIPMENT OF SEGA SOFTWARE
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 42
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "August 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  4. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-16), page 28
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Force, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-14), page 31
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 31
  7. ↑ Sega Visions, "November/December 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 93
  8. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1993" (US; 1993-0x-xx), page 47
  9. ↑ Sega Pro, "February 1993" (UK; 1993-01-14), page 16
  10. ↑ Sega Force, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 7
  11. ↑ File:Arch Rivals GG credits.pdf
  12. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 91
  13. ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 69
  14. ↑ GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 17
  15. ↑ Sega Visions, "August/September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 21
  16. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  17. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 37
  18. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 16
  19. ↑ Entsiklopediya igr Sega. 100000 sekrety, kody, paroli, "" (RU; 2003-xx-xx), page 20
  20. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 289
  21. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 21
  22. ↑ Gamer, "Noémvrios 1993" (GR; 1993-xx-xx), page 1
  23. ↑ Game Zone, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 38
  24. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 126
  25. ↑ Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 98
  26. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 165
  27. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 90
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Mega Force, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 78
  29. ↑ MegaTech, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-20), page 42
  30. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 68
  31. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 137
  32. ↑ OK Consolas, "xxxx 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 34
  33. ↑ Player One, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-10), page 142
  34. ↑ Play Time, "(8/9)/92" (DE; 1992-07-08), page 90
  35. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, November 21, 1992" (UK; 1992-11-21), page 1
  36. ↑ Power Play, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 109
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 58
  38. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  39. ↑ Sega Force, "1/93" (SE; 1993-01-14), page 9
  40. ↑ Sega Force, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-14), page 30
  41. ↑ Supergame, "Agosto 1992" (BR; 1992-08-xx), page 22
  42. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 14
  43. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 97
  44. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 32
  45. ↑ GamePro, "March 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 149
  46. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 70


Arch Rivals

ArchRivals MD title.png

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NBA Jam and related games for Sega systems
Arch Rivals (1992) | NBA Jam (1994) | NBA Jam Tournament Edition (1994) | College Slam (1996) | NBA Hang Time (1996) | NBA Jam Extreme (1996) | NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC (1999) | NBA Hoopz (2001)
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